The holidays are an opportunity to relax, spend time with loved ones, and enjoy the spoils of your hard work. But not everyone has the luxury to join in feasts and fun during this most festive time of year.

Cold weather and seasonal bills are major burdens for the less fortunate in Atlantic City and beyond. Luckily, there are many helpful charities and initiatives committed to assisting locals throughout the year, and particularly during the holidays.

Ocean Casino Resort stands behind these programs by donating, hosting, and helping in any way we can. Here’s how we’re giving back to the AC community during 2024’s Season of Giving. 

Gingerbread House Donations to Oceanside Family Success Center

Oceanside Family Success Center is a free family services center located in Atlantic City. They operate as a meeting place and community hub for AC residents of all stripes, offering:

• Workshops
• Activities
• Group support
• Computer access
• Resume assistance
• Printing
• Copying
• Faxing 
• Other resources

This year, we’re providing the gingerbread house kits for one of their family night workshops. Kids and parents will get to laugh and play together as they build delicious cookie models. We’re also donating toys to be distributed to families in need throughout the AC area.

Toy and Blankets for the AtlantiCare Pediatric Unit

AltantiCare’s pediatric unit are heroes for so many families in AC and the rest of The Garden State. They provide kindness, care, and advice to sick children and their parents. To help them in their mission to spread health and joy this holiday season, we’re donating blankets and toys to distribute to their patients.

Support for FACES 4 Autism

FACES 4 Autism organizes community awareness programs, educational events, and family activities for autistic children and their parents throughout New Jersey. This holiday season, they’re hosting a Cookies with Santa party where attendees can meet Saint Nick, tell him their wishes, and enjoy a sweet treat. To liven up the festivities, we’re supplying:

• Delicious cookies
• All the fixings for rich, decadent hot chocolate
• Sensory toys for the kids to enjoy

Everyone deserves to feel special during the holidays. Thank you FACES 4 Autism for making so many families feel special now and throughout the year.

Help for Atlantic County Toys for Kids

The Atlantic County Toys for Kids program has collected and distributed gifts to children in the AC area for over 40 years. Every December, they team up with Santa to give out locally donated presents to nearby hospitals and nursing homes. 

This year, we’re giving Toys for Kids a monetary donation to support their noble cause and get more gifts to more children in 2024.

Coats and Cooking for The Boys and Girls Club

The Boys and Girls Club of Atlantic City is a decades-old organization committed to bettering the lives of AC’s young people. Their core program connects the city’s youth with opportunities for:

• Life-enhancing educational and practical programs
• Character development 
• Mentorship from caring adult professionals

This year, our Player Development team is hosting a coat drive to help kids without jackets stay warm through the winter. Thank you to our incredible staff for their contributions to our local community!

Beyond the coat drive, our chefs will be hosting a cookout with the teens of AC’s Boys and Girls Club on December 18th. The food they prepare will then be delivered to Covenant House, a shelter for AC’s unhoused youth, alongside a donation of $5,000 and seasonal gifts courtesy of Ocean Casino Resort.

Assistance for Avanzar

Avanzar is committed to helping AC’s abused women and children find safe emergency housing. They also offer other family-focused programs, such as:

• Counseling 
• Legal advocacy
• Emotional support

Ocean Casino Resort is making a financial donation to Avanzar so they can continue to provide their critical services to AC’s most vulnerable in 2024 and beyond. 

Money for AMVETS Post 9-1-1

America Veterans (AMVETS) Post 9-1-1 is all about empowering our nation’s veterans. They provide key services for individuals who’ve served in our armed forces, including:

• Housing assistance for homeless veterans
• Military funerals for fallen soldiers
• Scholarship programs
• Utility bill supplements

Ocean Casino Resort stands behind AMVETS Post 9-1-1. This holiday season, we’re making a monetary donation to support their aid programs and give a helping hand to our veterans in need.

Winter Accessories for Adelaide’s Place and Atlantic City Rescue Mission

This one comes directly from our staff, who wanted to show their support for the AC community in which they live and work. To give back, they’ve organized a winter/cold weather accessory drive where they’ll collect:

• Socks
• Hats
• Scarves
• Gloves

All these items will go directly to Adelaide's Place and Atlantic City Rescue Mission—causes focused on helping the city’s homeless get back on their feet. After all, no one should be cold or without shelter at any time of year. 

Angel Tree for the Salvation Army

The Salvation Army is one of the world’s most well-known charities. In Atlantic City, they focus on providing:

• Laundry services
• Diapers for in-need babies
• Pantry items and prepared meals
• After-school programs
• Showers
• Other basic necessities

During the festive season, our staff will purchase gifts to slide under The Salvation Army’s holiday tree and give to the area’s less fortunate children. With their support, hundreds of kids will receive holiday gifts this year.

Sleep Out in Support of Covenant House

As mentioned, Covenant House helps the city’s homeless youth find shelter and opportunities. To raise awareness for the cause, our own Chris O’Conner will be sleeping outside for [X DAYS] during the month of December. 

To show their support, the casino cage team has donated $1,000—plus hats and gloves for our sleeper. Ocean Casino Resort has pledged $5,000 and Chris himself has raised $X to add to the fund.

Ocean Casino Resort: Supporting Atlantic City in 2024 and Beyond

We’re thrilled to help out our friends and family in Atlantic City during 2024’s Season of Giving—but our support isn't just limited to the holidays.

At Ocean Casino Resort, we pride ourselves on our connection to the local community. That’s why we support AC initiatives all year long and are always looking for new opportunities to give back to our neighborhood. Next time you place a bet, eat a meal, or buy a souvenir on our property, rest assured that much of that money will find its way back into the community to fund worthy local causes.